Lane County OR

Biography of John P. Vollmer

One of the ablest and best known businessmen of Idaho is John P. Vollmer, of Lewiston. In past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; today it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man, and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial interests. John P. Vollmer is one of the strong and influential men whose lives have become an … Read more

Biography of Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding

REV. H.H. SPALDING. – Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding was born at Prattsburg, New York, November 26, 1803. In early life he was left an orphan, and was brought up by strangers, who gave him almost no school advantages, so that at the age of twenty-one he began the rudiments of English grammar and arithmetic, could read so as to be understood and write after a copy. Having become a Christian, he united with the Presbyterian church of his native place in August, 1826; and between 1825 and 1828 he went to school so much that he was able to teach … Read more

Biography of Chancy Akin

If there is one person more than another to whom the race loves to do honor that person is the pioneer, and especially is this true in double measure when we find one of the character of the worthy subject of this sketch, who has endured all the deprivations incident to pioneer life in this country since the early days of the last century and has through it all maintained a good physique, held his powers intact while accomplishing Herculean achievements, built a character which is a light to any community, kept his reputation untarnished and steadily pursued his way … Read more

Spears, Claude Allen – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Claude Allen Spears, 75, of Boise and formerly of La Grande, died Feb. 22 at a Boise hospital after a short illness. A memorial service took place Feb. 26 at Redeemer Lutheran in Boise. Burial will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel of Boise. Mr. Spears was born Jan. 18, 1932, to Leonard and Frances Katherine (Berry) Spears in Eugene. He grew up and attended school in La Grande and later worked for Boise Cascade Corp. Drafted in 1952, he served two years … Read more

Huffman, C. D. – Obituary

C. D. Huffman Passes Away Death Comes at Termination of Short Illness; Community Mourns His Demise Charles D. Huffman aged approximately 72 years, passed on this morning at 2:30 o’clock at the termination of a short illness. Residents of this city and Mr. Huffman’s many friends throughout Eastern Oregon are sincerely mourning his demise, for with his passing on goes a man who played an important role in the building of Eastern Oregon. The remains are at the Snodgrass and Zimmerman funeral service parlors. Charles D. Huffman was born in Portland, on December 24, 1852, and then the parents soon … Read more

Biography of Eugene F. Skinner

EUGENE F. SKINNER. – Eugene F. Skinner, whose name is a household word throughout the length and breadth of Lane county, located in June, 1846, the Donation claim on which Eugene City, named for him, now stands. He was born at Essex, Essex county, New York, September 13, 1809, and is the youngest son of Major John Joseph Skinner of East Windsor, Connecticut, and a brother of St. John B.L. Skinner of New York, who was an influential officer in the Postoffice Department at Washington City, District of Columbia, under President Lincoln, and first assistant postmaster-general under President Johnson. Having … Read more

Throop, Harold Pat Lawrence – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Harold Pat Lawrence Throop died May 6, 2007, at the Wallowa Valley Care Center. He was 89. Mr. Throop was born March 17, 1918, in Portland to Herrel R. Throop and Anna Throop Lynch. He grew up on the ranch of his parents, Anna and Charles Lynch. He graduated from high school there in 1936. In 1938 he moved to Cloverdale with his mother and stepfather. Prior to the start of World War II, Mr. Throop studied law at Willamette University. After serving in the U.S. Navy during the war, he returned to Cloverdale, bought his parents’ ranch … Read more

Morton, J. H. – Obituary

Death of Assessor Morton County Assessor J. H. Morton, after a long and painful illness, died Saturday night at 11:30 o’clock, at the Grande Ronde hospital. James H, Morton was a native son of Oregon, having been born in Lane county on June 7, 1856, where he resided until he reached the age of 10 years, when he and his parents came to this county where he has resided since. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda J. Jasper, a daughter of honored and respected pioneers of Union county. Born to this union were 11 children, 8 … Read more

Beason, Robert M. – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Robert M. Beason, 81, a former Baker City resident, died Dec. 28, 2002 at Eugene. At his request, no memorial service will be held. Mr. Beason attended local schools, and graduated from Baker High School as class president in 1939. He worked for the Bonneville Corps of Engineers for many years. He served his country during World War II in the European theater. He is survived by a daughter, Cathy Cone, of Eugene. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nan Miller Beason, and a sister, Nancy Weeks. Used with permission from: Baker City … Read more

Poland, Merle Gordon – Obituary

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, in Oak Grove United Methodist Church for Merle Gordon Poland, who died Aug. 15 at age 96. Mr. Poland was born March 26, 1909, in Eugene. He moved to Portland in 1933. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Washington State University, and served in the Navy. He was an electrical engineer for Bonneville Power Administration. In 1930, he married Audrey L. Dirr; she died in 2002. Survivors include his daughters, Shirley J. Slack and Janice R. Lee; eight grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Remembrances to the Casey Eye … Read more

Bean, Harold Cedric – Obituary

Complications following an operation, yesterday caused the death of Dr. Harold C. Bean, 40, president of the State Board of Health and one of the most prominent diagnosticians in Portland. Dr. Bean died shortly before noon at the Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was operated on December 26, two days before his 40th birthday. He had been ill only a week, entering the hospital Christmas Day. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2:30 o’clock at the Finley Chapel. With the exception of a brother in Seattle, all members of his immediate family were at the bedside when Dr. Bean … Read more

Biography of F. M. Naught

F.M. NAUGHT. – Mr. Naught, whose life experience contains many incidents of unique interest, was born in Illinois in 1838, and removed as a child to Texas, and in 1846 to Iowa. In 1853 he crossed the plains to Oregon and located in Polk county. Upon the outbreak of the Indian war in 1856, he joined Captain F.M.P. Goff’s Company K, Washington Territory Volunteers, and came east of the cascades. In July of that year, a part of Captain Goff’s company quartered at Fort Henrietta was summoned to the relief of Major Leighton’s command, which was surrounded on the John … Read more

Purdy, Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Mrs. – Obituary

Ruth Marion Rippey Eccles Purdy, 92, of Picabo, Idaho, a former Baker City resident, died Feb. 26, 2006. Her memorial service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday at the Community Campus (old Wood River High School) Auditorium at Hailey, Idaho. Internment will be at the Picabo Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a “Celebration of Ruth’s Life” at the Picabo Store immediately after the internment. The daughter of Clark and Lottie Rippey, she was born on June 29, 1913, at Portland. Soon after, the family moved to Baker City, where her father worked for the Railway Mail Service on … Read more

Marr, Richard W. ‘Dick’ – Obituary

Richard (Dick) W. Marr, 79, of Baker City, passed away peacefully Jan. 10, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Heath Services. Dick was born in Wendling, Ore., on Jan. 23, 1925. He grew up in the Willamette Valley, graduating from Falls City High School. The Marr family will host a memorial celebration of life in June; all friends and family are welcome. An announcement will follow in The Record-Courier. Dick is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Judy Young-Marr of Baker City; son and wife, Richard and Karen Marr of Port Orford; twin daughter, Candis Marr-Wade of Coquille; grandson and family, … Read more

Vernam, Richard Dean – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Richard Dean Vernam, 78, of Enterprise died July 6 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland after open-heart surgery. The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Friday July 14 at Mountain View Christian Church in Joseph. Burial will be at Prairie Creek Cemetery. Bollman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Vernam was born April 7, 1928, to Glenn and Irene Vernam in Colville, Wash. The family moved to Alvadore and he graduated from Junction City High School. On June 15, 1947, he married June Athey. They lived near Alvadore where he was a welder and steel fabricator, … Read more

Niederer, Mini (See) – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Minnie (See) Niederer, 85, formerly of La Grande, died Oct. 21. Minnie was born and raised in La Grande where she met Harley Levon Niederer. They were married in Weiser, Idaho, in 1941. They moved to Eugene and spent 55 years together until Levon died in 1996. She is survived by son, John Niederer of Vancouver, Wash.; daughter, Nikki Pettet of Olympia, Wash.; two grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four siblings, Bill Hart, Grover See, Lottie Noyes and Ester Crader. La Grande Observer – Obituaries for the week ending November … Read more

Engle Jimmie E. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Jimmie E. Engle, 88, of Eugene and formerly of La Grande, died Nov. 13. The family will have a private memorial service in Eugene. Mr. Engle was born Jan. 24, 1918, in Krupp, Wash., and grew up in eastern Washington. In 1941 he married Sheila Thompson in Portland. He served in the Army overseas during World War II, then attended pharmacy school at Oregon State University. He was a pharmacist for 30 years and was the manager of the La Grande PayLess from 1969 to 1984. After retiring in 1985, he and his wife moved to Eugene. … Read more

Hammitt, Sarah Frances Zumwalt – Obituary

Services for Mrs. Sarah Frances Hammitt who died at the family home at Mohawk yesterday, will be held at Stafford Cemetery at 1:30 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Mrs. Hammitt, who was 83 years old, was one of the earliest pioneers of the county. She attended Columbia College located on College Hill at the time Rev. E. P. Henderson was president. She is survived by 10 children as follows: Mrs. Belle Seavey, Donna; Mrs. May Bean, Eugene; M. L. Hammitt, Los Angeles; Mrs. Fannie Barger, Eugene; Mrs. Maude Presnoll, Gold Hill; Vick Hammitt, Mohawk; John Hammitt, Eugene; Ralph Hammitt, Mohawk; Claud Hammitt, … Read more

McCully, Frank M. – Obituary

Death calls F. M. M’Cully, Passes away after a sinking spell yesterday morning Funeral Thursday Frank M. McCully, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, died at 5:30 o’clock yesterday morning…underwent an operation for removal of gall stones about ten days ago. The operation was successful but his condition was so enfeebled by the progress of the disease attended by kidney trouble of a similar nature that he failed to rally and rapidly became worse. Saturday and Sunday death was fought off by the injection of saline solution but on Monday he rallied perceptibly and strong hope of his ultimate recovery … Read more

Hanson, Richard Lee “Dick” – Obituary

Baker City, Baker County, Oregon Richard Lee “Dick” Hanson, 69, died May 7, 2005 at Pacific Specialty & Rehab Care in Vancouver, Wash., from complications of a stroke. Disposition was by cremation. There will be no funeral. A celebration of his life will be scheduled later this spring in Baker City to allow distant friends and relatives to attend. Dick was born on Feb. 21, 1936, at Des Moines, Iowa. He attended high school at Des Moines and graduated from Iowa State University at Ames with a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He married Laura Sue McCollum on June 14, 1959. … Read more